• Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-

New mustang need opinions

  • Thread starter Thread starter Gumby84
  • Start date Start date Apr 13, 2011
G

Gumby84

New Member
May 1, 2009
24
0
0
IN
Apr 13, 2011
#1
  • Apr 13, 2011
  • #1
i have a 94 5.0 and have had it for 2 years. it is slow and bought it on impulse anyway i am selling it and buying a 4.6 2v spd. i was wondering which is a better buy a 96-98 or a new edge. i have around 7 grand to spend. also if i went with the npi does the fuel return have any issues with performance mods? thx everyone!
 

txredgt

10 Year Member
Oct 26, 2009
1,343
33
69
Apr 13, 2011
#2
  • Apr 13, 2011
  • #2
Personally, I like the new edge stying. If you get 99-01 I would try to stay as close to 04 as possible. If you like the 96-98 body style though go for it. You can stay NPI if you build a good little setup or trade it out for some PI stuff with junkyard parts. Heck I have even seen 96-97 Cobras in that range now, with more miles than you might want but if you don't mind a possible tear down then those arn't a bad choice imo.
 

Sonic04GT

Member
Nov 1, 2009
844
2
19
West Palm Beach, FL
Apr 13, 2011
#3
  • Apr 13, 2011
  • #3
I'd go 01-04, but I'm a bit biased. 96-98s were even more of turds. I had a '95 GT and made the switch to new edge
 

03_TrueBlue_GT

Active Member
May 5, 2010
810
41
29
Houston, Tx
Apr 13, 2011
#4
  • Apr 13, 2011
  • #4
Im not trying to be sarcastic or anything but, I thought the 1994-1995 5.0's are a lot better than our 4.6L SN195? Like I thought they have a lot of potential? Idk can somebody school me on it lol...

Reason I ask is bc a buddy of mine has a 94 Mustang GT with the 5.0 and he always brags about how its the best bc it has the 5.0 even though it runs 15.3's at the track.... But with some mods it would spank my 2v 4.6 he says....

Btw sorry I dont mean to hijack your thread...


But I would go with the 1999-04 GT's I really like the styling more than the 96-98 Mustangs, but I think for 7000 2004's and maybe some 2003 Mustangs will be priced a little higher... Just depends on what bodystyling you like...
 
D

Deleted member 38176

Apr 14, 2011
#5
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #5
If you think your 94 5.0 is slow then you're not going to be happy with a 96-98 4.6 lol.

Get a 99-04.
 

Winters98GT

Whoop...whoop-whoop-whoop-whoop...GANGNAM STYLE!!!
Founding Member
Nov 29, 1999
5,520
1,291
224
H Town
Apr 14, 2011
#6
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #6
The stock 99-04's will run about 5-8 tenths faster and about 5-6mph faster in the 1/4. Parts are plentiful for the 5.0. If you want to run quick, I would keep the 5.0. It is generally easier to work on and more parts.
 
G

Gumby84

New Member
May 1, 2009
24
0
0
IN
Apr 14, 2011
#7
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #7
i realize that the 96-98 motors are turds but i don't ever keep it stock. i would convert it to pi. i am a mechanic and have done heads gaskets on these cars before so there really not that bad. i just wanted a 96 up car due to tunability ease. the 94-95 would cost way to much to get right. mainly just wondering since the 96-98 are cheaper to invest in that or just get the new edge. i would like a cobra but so expensive to fix and read alot about alot of engine failures in pre 03-04's!
 

SteedaGT9150

Advanced Member
Nov 10, 2004
1,351
59
68
Maryland
Apr 14, 2011
#8
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #8
Gumby84 said:
i realize that the 96-98 motors are turds but i don't ever keep it stock. i would convert it to pi. i am a mechanic and have done heads gaskets on these cars before so there really not that bad. i just wanted a 96 up car due to tunability ease. the 94-95 would cost way to much to get right. mainly just wondering since the 96-98 are cheaper to invest in that or just get the new edge. i would like a cobra but so expensive to fix and read alot about alot of engine failures in pre 03-04's!
Click to expand...

No offense but If you have a solid car now, stick with the 5.0. Throw an H/C/I on there and some gears and you will have a very stout car.
 

hotstang_46

Member
Apr 11, 2007
481
4
18
Charlotte NC
Apr 14, 2011
#9
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #9
I'd stay with the 5.0 and build it as well....just sayin
 

bhuff30

Founding Member
Dec 11, 2001
6,037
35
129
Olathe KS
Apr 14, 2011
#10
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #10
The 94-95 computer should be just as tunable as the 96-98 computer, right? They are both OBD-II with similar capabilities and software packages available.

The 5.0 is definitely the the cheaper and easier engine to work on. Just a pair of cams for the 4.6 will run you $600+ just in parts. To me, that is insane.

However, if you are really dead set on a 4.6, you can see some very nice gains doing a PI swap on a 96-98. It will result in around 10.5:1 compression, which will give you a nice edge over a stock 99-04 GT. But then again, it is a lot of extra work when you could buy a PI car.

Gumby84 said:
i realize that the 96-98 motors are turds but i don't ever keep it stock. i would convert it to pi. i am a mechanic and have done heads gaskets on these cars before so there really not that bad. i just wanted a 96 up car due to tunability ease. the 94-95 would cost way to much to get right. mainly just wondering since the 96-98 are cheaper to invest in that or just get the new edge. i would like a cobra but so expensive to fix and read alot about alot of engine failures in pre 03-04's!
Click to expand...
 

JymboSlice

Member
Dec 9, 2008
385
0
17
Apr 14, 2011
#11
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #11
id go with a 96'-98' cobra. those lowered with a nice set of wheels that fill the wheelwells and no spoiler look...
 

fast97gt

Active Member
Jan 2, 2007
1,082
2
49
north carolina
Apr 14, 2011
#12
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #12
i went with a 97gt, then swapped in a 2005 pi engine from a crown vic. i love it, way more power, not to mention theres more hop up benefits of the pi engine. i liked the "jelly bean style" so i guess you could say i have the besy of both worlds
 
R

RedFord96

Member
Mar 21, 2011
33
0
6
Apr 14, 2011
#13
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #13
Gumby84 said:
i realize that the 96-98 motors are turds but i don't ever keep it stock. i would convert it to pi. i am a mechanic and have done heads gaskets on these cars before so there really not that bad. i just wanted a 96 up car due to tunability ease. the 94-95 would cost way to much to get right. mainly just wondering since the 96-98 are cheaper to invest in that or just get the new edge. i would like a cobra but so expensive to fix and read alot about alot of engine failures in pre 03-04's!
Click to expand...




I was always under the impression that the 5.0's were a lot cheaper to modify than the 4.6's, and easier to work on. Honestly I'd just keep the 5.0 and do H/C/I, more power for cheaper. Just looking at $500+ for cams on a 4.6 2V vs. a cam for the 5.0 makes me Unless you're planning on going close to or over 500rwhp, always heard that's the limit for the 5.0 block.

If you want to stay with the SN-95 body style I'd either keep the 5.0 or go to a 96-98 Cobra.
 

j_lutter31

Member
Apr 7, 2008
79
2
19
Central South Dakota
Apr 14, 2011
#14
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #14
bhuff30 said:
The 94-95 computer should be just as tunable as the 96-98 computer, right? They are both OBD-II with similar capabilities and software packages available.
Click to expand...


OBDII didn't come around until 1996 on the V8's. The V6 switched over to OBDII in 1994 though. My car has both OBDI and OBDII ports, the OBDII doesn't do anything, I've tried.....
 
G

Gumby84

New Member
May 1, 2009
24
0
0
IN
Apr 14, 2011
#15
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #15
okay it is correct obd2 did come in 96 but the 94-95 have a modified version of obd2 which there were getting ready for change in emissions. also i was going to go with obd2 due to and u can correct me if i am wrong but if a check engine light comes on u can make it turn off or not make that monitor run. also i have emissions on a dyno and i am worried that issue would limit me to how far i could go! do u know any obd1 5.0 producing 400hp and passes emissions with flying colors? plus i would have to buy a new block and the 2v heads flow more then most 5.0 aftermarket heads or am i wrong. thx
 
B

BIGDATOWN

Member
Dec 3, 2010
115
0
16
Apr 14, 2011
#16
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #16
A quarter horse tuner is 250 plus 80 for the software. That same exact tuner will work on the 4.6 car also. So now that the tuning part is out of the way. Which one will be cheaper and easier to make faster?
 
G

Gumby84

New Member
May 1, 2009
24
0
0
IN
Apr 14, 2011
#17
  • Apr 14, 2011
  • #17
don't the obd2 cars capable of atleast making the car driveable on the street compared to if i were to throw a cam in a 5.0. i have heard they get crazy issues and need to be tune right away or damage will be done. i just ask due to my friend has a 01 roush and put stage 2 heads and cams and he ran it all over will basically no problem aside from every once and a great while it would die out at idle. just wondering which is more mod/untuned friendly?
 

coupeownerBE

Active Member
Aug 20, 2005
110
2
29
russellivlle,ar
Apr 15, 2011
#18
  • Apr 15, 2011
  • #18
I have had 10 mustangs.. Mostly foxes but I got a 98 cobra once with 80k on it. Spent 1000 bucks on longtubes and full exhaust and the first day w/ the new exhaust and it seized up at the drag strip. Oil pump I think.. I just sold it bc I had a 89 coupe in the garage. But I have a 97 gt.. And it's fine so far.. Def. Not the fastest car I've owned but has good potential. The 4.6 is a smoother idle and I think a better DD.. By the way I'm looking for PI stuff so if u have it hit me up please.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Similar threads

0
V6 to V8 Swap info
  • 02_2v_Curtis
  • Jan 11, 2026
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
715
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Jan 11, 2026
02_2v_Curtis
0
D
96 get convertible-sell or part out?
  • DTCstang
  • May 17, 2026
  • What is it Worth?!?!?
Replies
5
Views
140
What is it Worth?!?!? May 18, 2026
nickyb
9
WTB: Procharger or Vortech Supercharger – 1996–1998 Mustang GT 4.6 2V – Budget $3,200
  • 96mustang.gt
  • Nov 20, 2025
  • Want to Buy
Replies
1
Views
339
Want to Buy May 3, 2026
roblabsn95
R
SURGING IDLE / NO IDLE CHECKLIST FOR 1996–1998 MUSTANG GT (4.6L 2V) - Work In Progress
  • Noobz347
  • Aug 30, 2025
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Replies
0
Views
734
1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk- Aug 30, 2025
Noobz347
Progress Thread Progress Thread- From6to8's 95 GT/Saleen Supercharged 331 install
  • from6to8
  • Mar 22, 2026
  • 1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk-
  • 2
Replies
24
Views
914
1979 - 1995 (Fox, SN95.0, & 2.3L) -General/Talk- May 6, 2026
from6to8
Share:
Bluesky Email Share Link
  • Mustang Forums
  • 1996 - 2004 SN95 Mustang -General/Talk-
Menu
Log in

Register

  • Forums
  • What's new
  • Media
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Sponsor
X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?

X

Privacy & Transparency

We use cookies and similar technologies for the following purposes:

  • Personalized ads and content
  • Content measurement and audience insights

Do you accept cookies and these technologies?